Next-to-soft radiation at the LHC
Research Group: Centre for Research in String Theory
Number of Students: 1
Length of Study in Years: 3.5 years
Full-time Project: yes
Funding
Funding is provided via the Scientific Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
- Available to Home and exceptional overseas applicants only.
- Applicant required to start in September 2026.
- The studentship arrangement will cover home tuition fees for the duration of the studentship.
Project Description
In calculating theory predictions for the LHC and related experiments, one must include the effect of fast moving particles emitting “soft” (low momentum) gluon radiation. How to do this is well-known, but very little is known about how to go beyond the soft approximation, to include so-called “next-to-soft” radiation.
This project will develop methods for describing next-to-soft radiation to all orders in perturbation theory. The results will have immediate applicability to increasing the precision of collider physics predictions, including e.g. for Higgs boson production at the LHC, and top quark pair production at a future linear collider. Furthermore, students may explore the links between the phenomenology next-to-soft radiation, and more formal related topics in gravity and string theory.
Application Method:
To apply for this studentship and for entry onto the Physics programme (Full Time), please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/spcs/phdresearch/application-process/#apply
Deadline for application - 28th of January 2026
Supervisor Contact Details:
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr Chris White
Email: christopher.white@qmul.ac.uk
Requirements
Existing knowledge of Quantum Field Theory is essential, and familiarity with Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) is very useful.
SPCS Academics: Christopher White